Volcano F (Tonga)

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Volcano F
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Highest point
Elevation−40 metres (−130 ft)[1]
ListingList of volcanoes in Tonga
CoordinatesLua error: callParserFunction: function "#coordinates" was not found.
Geography
LocationTonga Islands
Geology
Formed bySubduction zone volcanism
Mountain typeCaldera
Last eruption6–8 August 2019[2]

Volcano F (also known as Volcano 0403-091) is a submarine volcano in the Tonga Islands of the South Pacific Ocean. It is located 50 km (31 mi) northwest of Vavaʻu, between Late and Fonualei on the Tofua ridge. It is part of the highly active Kermadec-Tonga subduction zone and its associated volcanic arc, which extends from New Zealand north-northeast to Fiji, and is formed by the subduction of the Pacific Plate under the Indo-Australian Plate.

The volcano was first mapped in 2004, and assigned the name "Volcano F".[2] It consists of a large (8.7 x 6 km) caldera with a depth of 670 – 720 m. The caldera walls are 200 – 300 m high, with the highest peak on the rim only 35 m (115 ft) below sea level.[2] The entire volcano rises 1,000 m (3,300 ft) from the sea-floor.[2]

Eruption history

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The volcano erupted in September 2001, resulting in an eruption column and a pumice raft which later reached the coast of Australia.[1][3]

File:Raft of rubble ESA19677130.jpeg
The pumice raft generated by the August 2019 eruption. Captured by the Copernicus Sentinel-2 mission on 21 August 2019

In August 2019 a 150 km2 (58 mi2) pumice raft was discovered floating in the Pacific Ocean in Tonga.[4][5] The pumice raft was observed by numerous yachts and reached Fiji in September.[6] Discoloured water and analysis of the drift path using satellite imagery showed that the raft had originated from an eruption of Volcano F beginning on 6 August 2019.[2][7][8] The eruption was preceded by a series of earthquakes on 5 August, and ceased on 8 August.[2]

See also

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References

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